Attention mediates the influence of numerical magnitude on temporal processing

Abstract

The processing of time and numbers has been fundamental to human cognition. One of the prominent theories of magnitude processing, a theory of magnitude (ATOM), suggests that a generalized magnitude system processes space, time, and numbers; thereby, the magnitude dimensions could potentially interact with one another. However, more recent studies have found support for domain-specific magnitude processing and argued that the magnitudes related to time and number are processed through distinct mechanisms. Such mixed findings have raised questions about whether these magnitudes are processed independently or share a common processing mechanism. In the present study, we examine the influence of numerical magnitude on temporal processing. To investigate, we conducted two experiments using a temporal comparison task, wherein we presented positive and negative numerical magnitudes (large and small) in a blocked (Experiment-1) and intermixed manner (Experiment-2). Results from experiment-1 suggest that numerical magnitude affects temporal processing only in positive numbers but not for negative numbers. Further, results from experiment-2 indicate that the polarity (positive and negative) of the numbers influences temporal processing instead of the numerical magnitude itself. Overall, the current study seems to suggest that cross-domain interaction of magnitudes arises from attentional mechanisms and may not need to posit a common magnitude processing system.

Number-time interaction: Search for a common magnitude system in a cross-modal setting

“…A more recent study has already shown that the cross-dimensional magnitude interaction (space-time) arises from memory interference ( Cai et al, 2018 ; Cai and Wang, 2022 ). (b) Alternatively, explicit processing of numbers may invoke visuospatial processing—it has been shown that the processing of numerical magnitude might elicit a shift of spatial attention which in turn might affect the temporal processing of visual events ( Casarotti et al, 2007 ; Di Bono et al, 2020 ; Shukla and Bapi, 2021 ).…”

“…Similarly, the duration inducer affected duration perception but not numerosity perception. Further, it has also been argued that cross- dimension magnitude interaction can be modulated by visuospatial attention ( Vicario et al, 2008 ; Vicario, 2011 ; Di Bono et al, 2020 ; Shukla and Bapi, 2020 , 2021 ) or the memory mechanism ( Cai et al, 2018 ). The previous findings compel us to ask a fundamental question as to whether cross-dimension magnitude interactions result from a generalized magnitude system or arise due to differential cognitive processing mechanisms, for example, due to processes such as attention and memory.…”

A matter of time: how musical training affects time perception

“…Time perception has been the subject of investigation for many years. Previous studies have reported that temporal perception can be influenced by various factors, including emotion ( Droit-Volet et al, 2011 , 2020 ), color ( Thönes et al, 2018 ), magnitudes ( Chang et al, 2011 ; Shukla and Bapi, 2021 , 2022 ) intention ( Wenke and Haggard, 2009 ; Makwana and Srinivasan, 2017 ; Donapati et al, 2024 ), and meditation ( Singh and Srinivasan, 2019 ). In addition to these factors, several studies have suggested associations between certain abilities and the processing of temporal information ( Perrone et al, 2023 ).…”